NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers men's basketball team (1-0) forced 27 turnovers and coasted to an 88-61 win against the Pensacola Christian Eagles (1-5) to open the season on Tuesday night at Lakefront Arena.
The Privateers started with the first five points of the game, and opened with a 12-4 run at the first media timeout with 15:40 left in the first half. The Eagles responded with a run of their own though to pull the game within three at 16-13.
New Orleans was relentless in pressuring the ball though, forcing 13 turnovers to build a first half lead as large as 16. The Privateers went to the half up 47-34 on the strength of balanced scoring. Five Privateers had between six and nine points at the break, and the team shot 56.7 percent (17-for-30) in the opening 20 minutes of play.
From there, New Orleans was able to establish control and overcome 23 missed free throws in 48 trips to the line. The Privateers wound up shooting 52.7 percent from the game and out-rebounded the Eagles 36-26.
Colton Weisbrod had a perfect night from the field in his collegiate debut, going 6-for-6 from the field for 12 points. Weisbrod also pulled down six boards and had two steals.
Kevin Brown led the team in scoring with 18 points and dishing out three assists while also recording a team-best four steals.
Tevin Broyles,
Christavious Gill, and
Terrance Syon also all notched double figures in points.
The Eagles were led by Corey Williams who poured in 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field. Joel Thomas added 14 points and Jon Andrews chipped in with 11. Pensacola Christian shot 42.9 percent from the field.
The Privateers have a quick turnaround, traveling to TCU to take on the Horned Frogs on Thursday, Nov. 20. Tip is slated for 7 p.m.
